Political thoughts and comments

Tag Archives: ballot process

The article from the LA Times is interesting in that it refers to Americans Elect as a third-party and that it is privately run. Americans Elect is in fact a nominating process which received initial start-up funding from Peter Ackerman. It should be noted that the initial money was a loan which is to be paid back and all other funding is in the form of contributions from individuals. Funds are not accepted from the candidates, special interests, lobbyists, corporations, PACs, or political parties.

Do some voters and commentators have concerns about Americans Elect? In retrospect I suppose they do. Let me try to put some light on who we are?

First of all, we are not a party, we are a nominating process that is nonpartisan using a secure online convention,we do not have an agenda, a candidate, nor do we advocate for a position. The process is tied to the voters directly, they put together the issues that the candidates submit their positions on the issues.

Second, the candidate(s) will go through a balloting process by the voters /delegates which will narrow down the potential candidates in April / May. The candidates must declare their intent to run and choose a running mate from another party. There is no censor or board of censors who determines the worthiness of a candidate. The candidates however do have to file with the Federal Election Commission and full disclosure laws and submit qualifications to a Certification Committee.

It is important to remember that as the election season moves forward there will be accusations, challenges, and questions from the media and public. Americans Elect is about the voter and the issues that concern him or her. As the momentum grows and Americans Elect is added to the ballot lines across the country,( are currently on 12 states ballot lines) perhaps the political editors will address Americans Elect as a Nominating Process and not as a third-party. The advisors to President Obama have acknowledged the influence of Americans Elect and have begun to try to discredit the efforts of Americans Elect. Both parties are concerned because the right candidate could syphon votes or damage the electability of their candidate.

AmericansElect.Org has the information the voter needs to know about the organization and how to participate. I encourage both the concerned voter and the skeptic to really check it out.